Four million British identities are up for sale on the internet

[security curmudgeon <jericho () attrition org>]

http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/the_web/article6718560.ece

July 18, 2009
Four million British identities are up for sale on the internet

The identities of more than four million Britons are being offered for 
sale on the internet, The Times has learnt.

Highly sensitive financial information, including credit card details, 
bank account numbers, telephone numbers and even PINs are available to the 
highest bidder.

At least a quarter of a million British bank and credit card accounts have 
been hacked into by cybercriminals, exposing consumers to huge financial 
losses. Most of the personal data has been gathered as a result of 
phishing  a process whereby members of the public are duped into handing 
over their key details, such as user names, passwords and credit card 
details.

Unsuspecting victims hand over the information by e-mail to people posing 
as reputable sources such as banks or online stores. Other data has been 
stolen after criminals infect a persons personal computer with viruses and 
then raid it for information.

[..]
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